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Lecture Slides

Introduction to Sociology, 5th edition

Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier and Richard Appelbaum

Slides created by Dr. Huei-Hsia Wu, Boise State University

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Chapter 1: What is Sociology?

Chapter 1: What is Sociology?

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What is Sociology?What is Sociology?

Lecture Outline• Developing A

Sociological Perspective

• Development of Sociological Thinking

• Is Sociology A Science

• How Can Sociology Help Us in Our Lives

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What Is Sociology? What Is Sociology?

Sociology -The systematic study of human societies, with special emphasis on social groups in modern industrialized systems.

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• Patterns of social behaviorE.g., divorce, substance abuse, aging, immigration, unemployment, underemployment, overwork, lower pay etc. However, they are public issues at the societal level.

• Social structure is an active & constantly changing social force.

• It varies across space & time.

Chapter 1 What Is Sociology- Social Structure

Chapter 1 What Is Sociology- Social Structure

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Social World

Human behavior & thinking

Structuration

Chapter 1 What Is Sociology- Structuration

Chapter 1 What Is Sociology- Structuration

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– Culture– Socialization– Social interaction– Social

organizations & institutions

– Social inequality– Environment

Human behavior & thinking

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Chapter 1 What Is SociologyChapter 1 What Is Sociology

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Scope of SociologyScope of SociologyThe scope of sociology: studying all human relationships, groups, institutions, and societies.E.g., romantic love & marriage, gay family & marriage….(continued)

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Scope of sociology?Scope of sociology?

• Health & illness, racial & ethnic conflicts, poverty, education, immigration, sexuality, gender, class, and crime & punishment, environment & economic development all come under the scope of sociology.

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The Development of Sociological Thinking

The Development of Sociological Thinking

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• Merton’s Micro and Macro Approaches to the Study of Society

• Macro-sociology: large-scale phenomena

• Micro-sociology: individual characteristics & social interactions

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Macrosociology Micro-sociology

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More Sociological Imagination: Globalization

More Sociological Imagination: Globalization

Globalization refers to our increasing interdependence with people around the world.

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A Global View of the Changing World

A Global View of the Changing World

• There are several major impacts of globalization in contemporary societies:-A revolution in communications

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A Global View of the Changing WorldA Global View of the Changing World

-The technological change, especially IT the nature of jobs.Q: why type of jobs are related to information technology?

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A Global View of the Changing WorldA Global View of the Changing World

• Cultural globalization (or Cultural imperialism): English, TV programs

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A Global View of the Changing WorldA Global View of the Changing World

• Global economy• Global politics

(alliance, pollution)

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A Global View of the Changing WorldA Global View of the Changing World

• Changes is in our everyday lives: tradition more tech.

• Clothing, games, food, alliances etc.

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Sociological ImaginationSociological Imagination

C. Wright Mills (1959) -“think ourselves away” from the familiar routines of our daily lives-look at them anew-E.g., drinking a cup of coffee

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Developing Sociological PerspectiveDeveloping Sociological Perspective

• Social reproduction -the way societies keep going over time.

• Social transformation -processes of changes derived from conscious intentions to change-processes of unintended outcomes via social reproduction

• Sociology studies the resulting balance between these two processes.

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Sociological Imagination: Sociology of Coffee

Sociological Imagination: Sociology of Coffee

1) A ritual: A cup of coffee in the morning = a daily routine

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2) A symbolic value: social interaction & the enactment of rituals

3) Use as a drug: an “extra lift.”

Sociological Imagination: Sociology of Coffee

Sociological Imagination: Sociology of Coffee

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Sociological Imagination: Sociology of Coffee

Sociological Imagination: Sociology of Coffee

4) Interdependency among regions: Coffee is grown in Latin America, Hawaii, India & Southeast Asia.

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In-Class Discussion-Sociology of TeaIn-Class Discussion-Sociology of Tea

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Level of Analysis:Macro-Sociology & Micro-Sociology

Level of Analysis:Macro-Sociology & Micro-Sociology

• Microsociology - the study of everyday behavior in situations of face-to-face interaction.

• Macrosociology - the analysis of large-scale social systems.

• The two are closely connected.

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The Development of Sociological Thinking

The Development of Sociological Thinking

• Sociology encompasses a diversity of theoretical approaches.

• Theories - constructing abstract interpretations that can be used to explain a wide variety of empirical situations.

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Early SociologistsEarly Sociologists

• Auguste Comte1. He invented the word “sociology.” 2. Scientific evidence3. Seeing sociology as a means to

predict & control human behavior, which in turn contributes to human welfare.

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Early SociologistsEarly Sociologists

• Emile Durkheim1. Social changes & division of labor2. Sociology must study social facts3. Harmony among specialized

institutions 4. Society is an integrated whole

(organic solidarity).

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Early SociologistsEarly Sociologists

Karl Marx 1. “All human history thus far is the

history of class struggles.” 2. Emphasizing economic inequality &

its influences on social changes3. The ruling class exploited the

working class and the working class struggled to overcome that exploitation.

4. A classless system.

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Early SociologistsEarly Sociologists

• Max Weber 1. Emphasizing Durkheim's notions of

social values and ideas. 2. Values and ideas, such as those of

religion and science, can shape a society. 3. Rationalization of social and economic

life4. Sociology of religion

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Table 1.1Table 1.1

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Modern Theoretical Approaches

Modern Theoretical Approaches

Symbolic Interactionism Symbols The exchange of symbols between

individuals in social interaction Small-scale interactions of

individuals, not society as a whole.

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Modern Theoretical ApproachesModern Theoretical Approaches

• Functionalism 1. Seeing society as a whole2. Robert Merton has been

particularly influential3. Manifest, latent functions

and dysfunction4. Study of deviance

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Modern Theoretical Approaches

Modern Theoretical Approaches

Marxism 1. Power2. Ideology3. Class division-Proletariat &

bourgeoisie4. Social conflict5. The power class uses ideology to

retain their dominance

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Fig. 1.1Fig. 1.1

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Modern Theoretical ApproachesModern Theoretical Approaches

Feminism 1. Linking sociological theory and

political reform2. women’s lives and experiences 3. Gendered patterns and

inequalities are socially constructed.

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Modern Theoretical Approaches

Modern Theoretical Approaches

• Postmodernism 1. Society is no longer governed by

history or progress.2. Postmodern society is highly

pluralistic and diverse, with no "grand narrative" guiding its development.

• Rational choice theory 1. Self-interest2. Cost-benefit calculation3. Goal oriented

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Is Sociology a Science?

Is Sociology a Science?

• Science:1. Systematic methods of empirical

investigation2. Data analysis3. Theoretical thinking4. Logical assessments of arguments5. A body of knowledge about a

particular subject matter6. Value-free, objective & observable7. Empirical evidence & facts

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How Can Sociology Help Us in Our Lives?

How Can Sociology Help Us in Our Lives?

• Understanding social circumstances provides us a better chance of controlling them.

• Sociology provides the means of increasing our cultural sensitivities.

• We can investigate the consequences of adopting particular policy programs.

• Sociology provides self-enlightenment, offering groups & individuals an increased opportunity to alter the conditions of their own lives.

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Student WebsiteStudent Website

• Study smarter with these online tools at http://www.wwnorton.com/giddens5:

– Chapter Reviews– Diagnostic Quizzes– Vocabulary Flashcards– Thinking Sociologically Exercises– Practicing Sociology Data Exercises

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Associate degree45%22735010. Physical therapist assistants

Bachelor's Degree45%1284092819. Computer software engineers, systems software

Bachelor's Degree46%1795733948. Computer software engineers, applications

Short-term on-the-job training

46%1754377. Physical therapist aides

Associate degree47%692161476. Medical records and health information technicians

Short-term on-the-job training

48%2798595805. Home health aides

Moderate-term on-the-job training

49%1494543054. Social and human service assistants

Bachelor's Degree49%3194633. Physician assistants

Bachelor's Degree57%1062921862. Network systems and data communications analysts

Moderate-term on-the-job training

59%2155793651. Medical Assistants

Education and Training

Percent

Number

2012

2002

Occupation

 ChangeEmployme

nt 

(Numbers in thousands of jobs, ranked by number of jobs)

Fastest Growing Occupations, 2002-2012

Source:  US Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Federal Outlays as a Percentage of GDP, 1962–2002

Federal Outlays as a Percentage of GDP, 1962–2002

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The Path of Spending ObligationsThe Path of Spending Obligations

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17% Decline 2001 to 17% Decline 2001 to 2004200417% Decline 2001 to 17% Decline 2001 to 20042004

Percent of Students Reporting Past Month Use Percent of Students Reporting Past Month Use of Any Illicit Drug Has Decreasedof Any Illicit Drug Has Decreased

Percent of Students Reporting Past Month Use Percent of Students Reporting Past Month Use of Any Illicit Drug Has Decreasedof Any Illicit Drug Has Decreased

P < .05P < .05**

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Perc

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50

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Working Parents with Access to Leave, 2002 (percent)

Working Parents with Access to Leave, 2002 (percent)

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